The 10 golden Amelia Freer rules to live by

Amelia Freer changed Imogen Edwards-Jones' life (and helped her lose two stone) long before the nutritionist met Sam Smith. This is what Amelia taught her...

A few years ago now I was a miserable old fatso who found exercise uncomfortable, the beach was somewhere I’d really rather not be, and shopping for clothes was enough to make me want to break down and cry. I was two-stone overweight and it wasn’t making me happy. I couldn’t do what I wanted to do, and worse, I couldn’t be who I wanted to be.

And then I met Amelia Freer. Now, she is nutritionist to the stars – Sam Smith, Boy George, plus numerous other, less vocal models, actresses and executives. Back then, she was working out of her Notting Hill kitchen with her flatulent, chocolate-coloured Labrador, Oliver.

How have I done this? Well, I have changed my attitude towards food. I haven’t consciously stopped ‘doing Amelia’ as it is known in my house, i.e following her strict regime to the letter. But what I have done is stop the diet, but adopted the lifestyle. Listening to her over the years she has taught me the ten golden rules to living within my jeans. I have followed these rules more or less every day. And I will continue to do so, because following them I look better, feel better and am more the person I want to be:

1) Don’t eat between meals

Not only are you usually shovelling in unconscious calories that you are not particularly noticing or enjoying, but snacks are the quickest way to raise your insulin levels which helps your body store fat. Naturally the last thing you want to do.

2) Always start each meal with a mouthful of protein

Even if it is a big spoonful of cream with your pie, or a bit of cheese off the top of your pizza, protein helps slow down your insulin spike which in turn makes you store less fat.

3) If you are going to drink alcohol (er, yes!) then make sure it is vodka, tequila or red wine

These are the least sugary of all the alcohols and we know that sugar is not very good stuff. So if you really need to have a drink (er, see above) then something like a vodka and soda is the best of a bad bunch.

4) An apple a day really does keep the doctor away

Maybe mummy was right after all? I don’t know, but all I do know is Amelia told me to eat an apple a day, and so I do, mainly because, cold from the fridge, they are absolutely delicious!

5) Eat the rainbow

If your plate is full of beige/brown/yellow food you are not giving yourself enough variety. Each and every vegetable and fruit has something to offer. If you only eat the same things your body will miss out.

6) Don’t mix proteins

Apparently your body only really likes dealing with one at a time. So if you have a fish starter, have a fish main course. Don’t switch from chicken to fish to beef half way through a dinner.

7) Coffee and tea

They are fine in moderation, however they should not be drunk on their own in the middle of the afternoon as they also cause your insulin to spike and therefore store more fat! You can have coffee after lunch, or dinner but no afternoon tea break. In fact, the only drink allowed between meals is water.

8) Fat is your friend

Butter and oils are essential for good skin and glossy hair. Cook in saturated fats like butter, ghee or coconut oil. Olive oil when heated changes from good fat into not so good fat. So cook using butter or coconut oil; it is a much healthier option.

9) Chocolate

Yes you can. Just so long as it is a dark 70% chocolate that is full of very-good-for-you cacao.

10) The treat meal

No one can be good all the time. It is important to treat yourself occasionally - once a week is Amelia’s suggestion. But you must not feel guilty. Enjoy it, think about it, look forward to it and, for the love of God, go for it! Chips? Chips and mayonnaise? Chips mayonnaise and a pudding? Why the very hell not? You deserve it!

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Sorry Imogen, I did add lots more to my comment but it seems to have not sent for some reason! It's a great article and I totally felt like you at the beginning. I'm on the start of my Project Bikini Journey and truly loving the results, food and everything about it. I have yet to try a cheat meal though. Too worried I undo all the good work however, don't really miss it so that's a good sign. Well done and hopefully one day I'll lose all my spare pounds and be able to keep them off. Thanks for a great inspitational story.

Donna Welsh

June 25th 2015

Well done , such great advice! I relate to your story feeling like a miserable old fatso

Wendy Starkey

June 25th 2015

Thanks Imogen love your column, always a great laugh. I have now I have lost a stone, thank you for sharing your story and so helping us all.
Wendy

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Get The Gloss is the online destination for expert health and beauty. We work with leading makeup artists, hair stylists, nutritionists, personal trainers, trichologists and wellness practitioners to bring our readers the expert view on news and trends in beauty and wellness, and create specialist guides to help you be your happiest, healthiest self.

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